Easter is officially this Sunday, April 20th, and The Simpsons are hopping into its spirit. The spring holiday's celebrations are conceived of church, egg hunting, and Homer's favorite, chocolate bunnies. It's a day when we witness the renewal and rebirth of life.
The Simpson family surely had their share of sitting in church, listening to Rev. Lovejoy's sermons. And Homer got his appetite filled with chocolate treats.
In honor of Easter, the animated comedy released a few episodes dedicated to the holiday, or that are faith-based. Religion has been a recurring theme in The Simpsons, often injecting humor.
3 Easter episodes of The Simpsons to fill your baskets with
"Homer the Heretic"
Season 4
Homer refuses to attend Church when the weather was deathly cold, and understandably, he wants to stay in bed. Marge is grossly disappointed in her husband, a he's setting a bad example for the kids, and years ago, if one didn't attend Church, it was believed that you were doomed.
Yet, Homer wins the argument and spends the day alone, forming his own religion. His decision to do so upsets everyone, and they urge him to return to the services. He doesn't, and his house goes up in flames, as if God were punishing Homer. His friends came through and rescued him and the house.
After having a long talk with the Big Guy, Homer does Church again, only to find it as an excuse to fall asleep.
"Simpsons Bible Stories"
Season 10
"Simpsons Bible Stories" is the only official Easter episode, and the clergy is treated to three stories from the Holy Book. Marge and Homer are Adam and Eve, with Flanders as God. Bart is David from the story of David and Goliath, and Milhouse is Moses, freeing his people from Egypt.
The episode was a heartwarming spoof on the Old Testament, animated in a way that beautifully depicted the stories without being graphic or offensive. Additionally, "Simpsons Bible Stories" was the first and last episode to broadcast on Easter.
Afterward, the family experience the Judgement Day and the hot side of it.
"Rednecks and Broomsticks"
Season 21
I know what you're thinking. Why is a witch-themed episode included in this Easter list? Before Christianity adopted the holiday, its roots date back to a time long before Jesus was born. The traditions of egg dying, spring celebrations, and the worship of rabbits began with ancient societies, such as the Babylonians and ancient Egyptians, in BC times. Eggs and rabbits are symbols of rebirth and renewal. It's only natural that these non-Christian groups choose these beings to represent the holiday.
Those who worshipped outside the Christian faith were believed to be witches or Pagans, as they hold their own deity belief system. They performed rituals associated with nature or their Gods, which went against Christianity.
In "Rednecks and Broomsticks," Lisa is enchanted by a group of girls who honor the Wiccan faith and is invited to join the Coven. Yet, word gets out that there are practicing "witches" among the townspeople, and the girls are taken to court, with Lisa as the star witness. The charges were witchcraft, as the Coven is blamed for blinding the town with their magick.
Turn out that Springfield's water reservoir was contaminated with Moonshine and was the culprit of everyone going blind. The Coven is dismissed, but that's the last time we ever seen or heard from them again.